For many people (men AND women) nothing cures a case of the bad day blues than indulging in a little retail therapy. We're not talking about running to the drugstore to fill up on organic diapers, though. We're talking about splashing out a little of your hard earned cash on something you WANT but don't necessarily NEED. Something for yourself. Something to make you happy. Just in case the bad day blues strike while you're in Virginia Beach, here are some of our favorite places to go for a little therapy.

Lynnhaven

What's your pleasure? Are you the kind of girl who goes straight for the shoes? A sucker for shiny new electronic toys? Or perhaps the kind of guy who finds solace in patching together a wire duct? Whatever your favorite stores are, you'll probably find one at the Lynnhaven Mall. As one of the largest malls on this coast, it has 180 stores and three huge department stores. Plus a movie theater.

The Resort Area

Surf's up, dude! If you want to take a gander at the latest surfing equipment, find some great souvenirs, or browse through the local artwork, head on down to the resort area. It's not just for tourists. Its seaward bent means that it's your most likely source of such water-related things as aquarium gravel and bathing suits. There are forty blocks of shops and restaurants, so you're bound to find something to your liking.

Pembroke

This mall, which was the first to grace the city, is a great place to go if you're looking for the best of both worlds. Pembroke itself is a typical mall with its offering of restaurants, franchise stores, and a movie theater, while outside lies the town square, where you'll find blocks of storefronts housing specialty retailers. You might find that special type of pressure calibrator you were looking for at a locally owned hardware store or fall in love with a knitted sweater at a handcrafted clothing boutique.

Hilltop

Hilltop is not one mall or shopping district but a neighborhood with many such places on offer. Cruise the strip malls for a dealer of discount iPhone leather cases or head up to Williams Sonoma and get started on revamping your decorating scheme. There are even a few foot-friendly shopping districts in the Hilltop area, including First Colonial Road. If you're a shopper who likes to keep his or her options open, this is the place for you.